Assist cord assembly



A. W. FRANCE ASSIST CORD ASSEMBLY Oct. 21, 1941.

Filed May 16, 1938 INI/ENTOR HIJ/z2? M( Enya?. Y

A TTORNE Patented Oct. 21, 1941 UNITED STATE ASSIST CORD ASSEMBLY Alvin W. Prance, Pleasant Ridge,

to Briggs Manufacturing Company,V

Michigan Mich., a corporation of Application May 16, 1938, Serial N0. 208,209

8 Claims. (Cl. 105-'354) This invention relates to assist cord assemblies adapted particularly although not exclusively for use in the interior of automobile bodies. In vehicle or automobile body construction it has been customary to provide so-called assist cords or straps upon the interior walls of the automobiles which are useful for the occupant to grasp to assist him in rising or leaving the car, to prevent a fall or to support or brace the occupant against undesirable pitching. Heretofore assist cords or devices of this type have presented various disadvantages, such as in lack of strength, durability, attractiveness in appearance, simplicity in construction and inefiectiveness in properly transmitting strains and pulling forces to the supporting Wall.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing disadvantagesy and provide an assist cord or strap assembly of compact, sturdy, economical and durable construction ensuring a proper transfer of strains and pulling forces to the vehicle Wall While at the same time being attractive and ornamental in appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide an assist cord assembly simple in construction and having relatively few parts, which parts are capable of easy and quick assembly, and one which can readily be attached to or removed from its supporting surface.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved assist cord assembly comprising a flexible strap formed into a depending loop providing a handgrip and in which the upper ends of the strap are arranged ina threeply formation, retained together and secured to the supporting wall of the vehicle or the like in improved manner.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specicationwherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. Y l Fig. 1 is a fragmentaryperspective view of the rear interior of a vehicle body of the enclosed type, embodying one form of the present invention. ,A

Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section through a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view in cross section taken on lthe line 2 2 of Fig. 5 in the directionof the arrows.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the outer cover and inner plate assembly, indicating the Way in which these parts fit together.

' metal supporting panel I I.

Mich., assignor Detroit,

Fig., 5 is a front elevation ofthe form of the invention depicted in Fig. 1, the concealed portions being inserted in dotted lines. Y 'Y Before explaining in detail the'Y present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of. other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of thev prior art.

. Referring to the drawing, one form of assist cord assembly embodying shown in one of its applications, namely, as applied to the interior wall of an automobile body. The assembly of the present form of the invention is shown as a Whole at applied to the rear interior panel II adjacent a rear door I2. It is to be understood, however, that the location mentioned is but a preferred one and that other suitable and convenient places for mounting the assembly are evident and are contemplated herein.`

The assembly, as shown, member or handhold I3v,pr eferab1y made from a continuous strip of strong- `flexible material, such as a length of fabric, heavy cloth, cord, leather or the like, one endportion I'll of which is situated close to or, if -desired, against the interior fabric covered trim panel The other end portion I5 of the handhold I3 liesface to face with the end portion III Yand these ends are enclosed `by a pressed metalchannel shaped retainer plate IISV which fits against the outer surface of the said end portion I5 and about the longitudinal edges of both end portions. The plate IB contains a plurality of countersunk openings I1(Fig. 4) adapted to receive metal lscrews IS, the heads thereof fitting smoothly into the countersunk portions of the openings I'I as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The plate I6, as well as the end portions I5 and I4 of the handgrip I3, are removably secured to the panel II by the'screws I8 which are threaded into thepanel I I. It is to be understood, however, that other suitable fastening means serving thepurposesof the common fastening elements I8 may be utilized.

The intermediate portion I9 of the handgrip I3 is a continuation of the end portion I4 thereof and extends around the upper end of the plate the linvention is thereY I0 (Fig. 1) and is.v

includes a ha'ndgrip I Ia mounted upon the n parts of the" assembly t'o' form a loopedfportion' especially adapted to be'gripped manually as best.

shown in Fig. 2, particularly at the section thereof designated generally by the numerals I3, |31.

Thus it will be observed that the handgrip meinber is formed from a single strip of materi'al'hav; ing one upper end bent or folded back-upon it;

self in overlapping engagement-with .the-:opposite:

end to provide a three-ply formation. Such a;-

structure is susceptible of providing forthe di rect transfer of strains to a supporting surface as well as supplying a firm and secureunion. of theY-handgrip to itssupporting surface.

Alcover.V or casing Mis-providedA which is preferably formed from-metalhsuch as pressed sheet steel -or the1ikeresembling in shape a rectangular-.box without av bottom. The upper surface of the cover. or casing` 2'I' may contain an opening. or window ZZ-andlaplurality of" grooves 2'3, 23

for ornamental-effect', but` any suitable shape or design ofthe saidf coverZI not -inconsistentwiththefunctions describedl hereinafter is contemplated.- The cover 2I- is preferably chromium plated-butany desired ornamental iinish, such as lacquering,A painting, burnishirig, etc., is suita-ble and may beused;A The channel AshapedV cover` 2I-has.its.side iianges 2Ia providedwithinturned portions-2424-along itslongitudinaledges, which inturning-forms grooves 25, 25-between the said portions-24,24-andv the respective side flanges of the cover'ZI. itself. The grooves 25, 25'- are designed: tot over and embrace the longitudinal edges of the. sidev liangesv yISa of the retainer platev I6'so-that the-cover 2| may be slidablyimposed-or telescopedupon the plate I6 and heldy in positionf when, slid into place thereupon because-the grooves 25, 25- and-the side-flanges I'a of-the-plate-I act as locking grooves andtongues respectively as shown in Fig.3. However, it will' be-observedthat the:cover 2| possesses wider side flanges Z'Ia-than-the side angesof the inserty member or retainer plate` II` so that a space existsbeneath the adjacent outer faces. of the members IS- and 2I. This interval is occupied by the -portion- I -9-of the handgrip. I3A as previously. explained, which portion is pressed between the cover ZTI- andthe plate I6 and is thus vheld in place: The-spacedrelaticnship between the cover Z-I- and the plate I-B-is designed to provide for such a gripping effect, this being augmented by the inwardly projecting ribs formed by the grooves 23y The. cover 2I- also contains. a finger-like projection or hook 2-6- resultant from a shaping. of the metalot the cover 2I in the-form of.. reversely extending substantiallyhorizontal but spaced por-tionsZT- (Fig-2) the sides-of` which are curved atleast. inpart-L i-na; rounded manner from the outer? towardthe inner surface. and may meet inthe rear or leave aslight concealed. vertical crack at-that point. The projection 2li` is, therefore, a-gracefullyy shaped integral. portion of the cover 21|- extending upwards at a slight forward angle therefrom as depicted in| the drawing. VI-heproection 2E' not only acts as an ornament, butalsd asa handle. or gri-p supplemental to the handheld I3. For example, it may readily be employed as a coat hanger.

The assist cord assembly described above may be installed upon a supporting surface, such for example as the rear panel II, as follows:

The end portion I4 of the handgrip I3 is placed at a selected spot on the panel II. The plate I6 into which the end portion I5 has previously been inserted is then superimposed thereover. If desired; the plate I6 may-'bepositionedindependently, in which event the end-portion I5 is first placed upon the portion I4-and held in place while the plate I6 is so positioned. Thereafter, the portion.. I9 of the handgrip I3 is temporarily heldasid'ewhile the metal screws I8 are inserted through-holes in` the portions I 4 and I5, into the openings.L II'an'd threaded into preformed holes sembl'y which comprises the features of a rmer' union with a supporting surface to which pulling forces are effectively transmittedY with the elimination of vfastening brackets, or the like, thereby greatly lessening damage to-the surface and also protecting the same by a'layer of cloth-like material. The assembly herein described is of simple construction, is ornamental and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Itis easy to assemble and disassemble and to applyto and remove from its supporting surface.

I claim:

1. An assist cord. assembly comprising an outer casing, an inner retainer member in adjacent relationship, a flexible assist cord having itsY two ends confined by said retainer member and an extension of one end confined between said member andA casing, said extension continuing therebeyondto. provide together with an extension of the other endv a looped portion of said cord, and a-common means concealed by said extension for securingthe retainer member and two ends to a support.v

2. An assist cord assembly adapted to be removably applied to a supportingl surface, comprising a retainer having a channel shaped base and a channel shaped cover, the latter being adapted to be telescoped over the base, the base and. cover having web portions spaced to provide a slotV when assembledl and the web portion of the-base being spaced from the supporting surface to provide a channel shaped slot, and a flexible handgrip member having` a looped portion depending from the` retainer and having its opposite ends: overlapped and confined within the channel shaped slot, the inner end adjacent the supporting surface being doubled back through said rst named slot and continuing beyond the retainer to form one side of the loop of the handgrip member, while. a continuation of the other confined. endextends. beyond the retainer to form the other side of the said loop.

3-. An. assistcordl assembly comprising a channel shaped base and. a channel shaped cover,- the latter adapted to be telescoped over the base, the base and cover having web portions spaced' to provide a vertical slot and the web portion of the base being Yspaced from the supporting surface. to which it is attached to provide aV vertical channel'shaped'slot, and a looped: flexible'handgrip member having its Opposite ends overlapped and conned within the channel shaped slot, one of said ends being doubled back across the upper edge of the base web and thence extended down through said rst named slot to form one side of the handgrip loop portion.

4. An assist cord assembly adapted to be removably applied to a supporting surface comprising a cover, a flexible assist cord, and a supporting plate for said cover, said plate being generally channel shaped the web portion thereof being spaced from said supporting surface to provide a slot and a portion of said cord being secured to said plate in said slot.

5. An assist cord assembly adapted to be removably applied to a supporting surface comprising an outer cover, a flexible assist cord, and a generally channel-shaped mounting and supporting plate over which said cover is slidably fitted, the web portion of said plate being spaced from said supporting surface to provide a slot within which a portion of said oord is secured to said plate.

6. An assist cord assembly comprising a twopiece retainer having a base and a cover carried by said base; and an assist cord having its two ends overlapped and adjacently confined by said retainer, an extension of one end being folded around the upper end of the base and downwardly to conceal said ends and an extension of the other end, said extensions projecting below said retainer and uniting to provide a downwardly hanging looped portion of said cord, the aforesaid ends being adapted to be secured together and to a support.

'7. An assist cord assembly comprising a twopiece retainer consisting of a channel-shaped base and a cover carried by said base, a iiexible assist cord having its two ends confined by said 'base in adjacent relationship, said assist cord having an extension of one end folded down to conceal the said ends and the said base, and means concealed by said extension for securing said ends and said base to a support independently of said extension, said base and said cover maintaining said extension in its folded position, the said extension together with an extension of the other end continuing beyond said retainer to form a loop portion of the assist cord depending from the retainer.

8. An assist cord assembly comprising a flexible assist cord consisting of a strip of flat textile material having three upper overlapping portions including the two ends of the strip, said ends being placed in adjacent relationship and an extension of one end being folded back to overlie and conceal the said ends and to form the third of the said overlapping portions, the portion of the strip oppositely disposed from the said overlapping portions forming a depending'loop operable as a handgrip; a two-piece retainer for confining said overlapping portionsin the aforesaid v position, one part thereof clamping said ends together in position for attachment to a supporting surface, and another part thereof being positioned above said clamping part for maintaining said extension in its folded position.

ALVIN W. FRANCE.

'of the above numbered patent requiring corre strike out the words "in adjacent CERTIFNCATR 0R'v CORRECTION. Patent No, 2,260,12li. october 21, 19m.

ALVIN w. FRANCE.

ted speci ficati on It is hereby certified that error appears in the prin ctionas follows: Page 2, second column, lines 58\an il 59, claim l, relationship" and insert the same after line 11.5,bef0re "extension" insert --first named, and tha ion therein that the same "member"y in line same claim;

t the said Let# ters Patent should be read with this correct may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of December, A. D. l9).|.l.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal.) Acting; Commissioner of Patents. 

